Syrian refugees unwelcome in Bulgaria

Influx of refugees has stretched thin the resources of the EU's poorest member state.

12 Dec 2014 09:52 GMT

At the end of 2013, an estimated 15,000 Syrian refugees had entered Bulgaria illegally seeking safety.

However, the small EU country is experiencing political and economic instability and has not been able to cope with the large number of asylum-seekers.

The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) stated: "European countries should stop returning asylum seekers to Bulgaria, because they could face inhumane and degrading treatment in Bulgaria's reception centres, which have been stretched thin by a rising numbers of arrivals."

The Bulgarian government has authorised the construction of a 30km barbed wire fence running along its border with Turkey, in an effort to stem the arrival of new refugees.

Tension between refugees suffering poverty and unemployment and local communities is high.

As refugee numbers increase, assistance and available aid has dwindled. Living conditions continue to deteriorate. Having only meagre resources, entire families are left waiting for refugee status applications to be processed.

Syrian refugees have lost everything, yet their arduous journey is far from over.

Bulgarian border police patrol on a road separating the EU member state, Bulgaria, from Turkey, near the town of Elhovo.

Pierre Marsaut/Al Jazeera

Syrian refugees listen to traditional Syrian songs on a radio outside the recently opened camp of Voenna Rampa in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Pierre Marsaut/Al Jazeera

Bulgarian border police walk towards young migrants who crossed the Bulgarian-Turkish border illegally near the town of Elhovo.

Pierre Marsaut/Al Jazeera

Syrian refugees wait behind a door as Bulgarian doctors perform medical checkups at the recently opened camp of Voenna Rampa in Sofia.